Former India batter turned commentator Robin Uthappa opined on Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion from India’s playing 11 during the Test series against England as well. However, Team India levelled the five-match series 2-2 as well. Meanwhile, Kuldeep warmed the bench throughout the series, whereas many former cricketers and experts had slammed India for not playing Kuldeep.

“Put Kuldeep in the 11 and make sure you’re batting is still in a state where none of the fans will go after the team management or the captain. With all due respect to Kuldeep’s prowess with the ball, he’s got limitations to his batting. That’s going to take a lot of effort from his side,” he said on his YouTube channel. “Ashwin has got 5-6 Test hundreds. If he can do that at the lower middle batting order, say at number eight or nine, then he will certainly play more Tests. I think he’s an absolute cricket nut. He is obsessed with the game, batting, and scoring runs. He has put in the hours and time. That is what makes him a unique prospect for me. He’s a cricket nerd.”

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However, Robin Uthappa also opined on Shubman Gill’s captaincy in the series. Notably, Gill was appointed as India’s Test captain before the England tour after Rohit Sharma retired from the format.

“There is a difference between being a captain and a leader. We’ve seen Shubman’s captaincy in this series. He’s been really good at some times and inactive or passive at some times. Over a period of time, he will tactically get better. As far as leadership is concerned, he is coming into his own since he started leading the Gujarat Titans. As a leader, he is leading the team well. He is not like a one-man thing,” he concluded.